~Alyce/Faelyn~

*Beep.* *Beep.* *Beep.* The obnoxious echo of my alarm clock started invading the first peaceful sleep I’d had in a long time. Probably because it was such a short sleep. I reached over, smashing the buttons of the alarm clock, silencing it.My feet hitting the cold cement floor as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes got me moving. I didn’t waste any time as I slipped into a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt that came to my knees. I looked like hell, but it was by design. I wanted something easy to slip on after I shifted back. Slipping on a pair of black flats I ran my fingers through my hair and then piled it into a messy bun on the top of my head.

Aramyth was prancing around in my head, *I can’t wait, Little One, as anxious as I am to run, I’m more anxious for you to realize just how special you are.*

I grinned a little as I crept up the basement stairs, *I know Aramyth, and in another 24 hours or so, we will be free and we won’t have to hide anymore.*

*No, we won’t, but we will still need to be careful. He’s still out there and he will know what and who you are. If word gets back to him before we’re prepared it could end everything before it even begins.*

*We’ll be careful. I plan to reject Red Moon when we leave, yes we will be considered rogue, but I’m hoping if we head to the north one of the packs up there will allow us in.*

*If you use your real name, any pack in the world would let you in. At least anyone still run by the older Alpha’s, younger Alpha’s won’t necessarily know your name and what it means.*

*Noted, if necessary I will reveal who I am, but I’d rather not give out any more information than is necessary. I don’t want to bring trouble to anyone for helping us.*

*Agreed, let’s go, we will be late if we don’t get going.*

I chuckled at her eagerness and slipped through the kitchen of the pack manor, slipping out the back door. I glanced at the sky, judging that the moon would be at its apex in about 45 minutes. It would take me 25 to get to the clearing on foot. I don’t know how Aramyth was always right on the nose about timing, not like she could wear a watch or read the time. I rolled my eyes at my own silliness and headed into the tree line.

I kept to the shadows until I was further into the woods and knew no one saw me, I then took to the trees. I know, I was being ridiculously paranoid, but I needed tonight to go off without a hitch, my plans depended on it. I was catching scents to the east, scents I didn’t recognize. They were faint, only coming when the breeze was blowing just right. Given that there wasn’t a plethora of warriors swarming the woods I assumed it was some of the visiting pack members. I would make sure Faith and Jake were aware so they could make sure to keep an eye out and lead them away if necessary.

I made it to the clearing only a few minutes late. I crouched on the branch, grinning as I looked down at Mattie, Faith and Jake. An evil smirk crossed my face as I had an idea come to mind. I waited patiently for a couple minutes, watching Mat shift around a little. I waited until he was close enough to where I was perched and then jumped down onto his back, “Gotcha, Mattie!”

The startled look on his face as I was suddenly flung over his shoulder and hit the ground on my back with a groan was totally worth it, it was soon followed by a horrified one, “Shit Alyce! I’m sorry! Why would you sneak up on me like that?”

I laughed a little, “It’s fine, it was worth it. The look on your face was priceless.”

He reached down and grabbed my hand, helping me back up to my feet, “You sure you’re ok? You look like hell.”

“Gee, thanks. I’m fine. I took a nap before coming out here and figured clothes that I wouldn’t mind getting ruined were better than something I would miss, just in case.”

Faith and Jake were standing off to the side, trying not to laugh at the two of us. I turned and looked at them with a grin, walking over to hug them both, “Thank you for being here. It means a lot to me.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for anything, Alyce.” Faith smiled at me and patted my cheek in a motherly fashion.

“Oh, and I smelt unfamiliar wolves in the woods on my way here. I suspect it’s some of the visiting pack who arrived today seeing as there is no alarm being raised, but just be aware and alert.”

“Of course my dear.”

It was about this point I started to notice I was feeling a little warm, I fanned my face with my hand and looked at Faith, “It’s unusually warm tonight isn’t it?”

Jake arched a brow and Faith grinned at me, “No dear, it’s not. Your shift is approaching. It’s almost time. It’s going to hurt like hell and most first shifts usually last an hour, maybe two, but they’ve also been known to take up to twelve.”

Mat came up behind me and hugged my shoulders, “We’ll be here the whole time, but try not to take too long, I need my beauty sleep before the banquet and you will still have to work, no matter your condition.”

“You certainly need all the beauty sleep you can get, Mattie. I would give you some of mine if I could.” I giggled at him and then shrugged him off. It was too warm. I gripped his arm as a wave of dizziness washed over me.

Faith reached over to help steady me, “It’s normal Alyce, nausea, dizziness, headaches, fever, all normal. Sit down, it’ll be better than falling.” She guided me to the ground and rubbed my back soothingly.

I groaned a bit, I felt like my body was on fire. There was also an odd sensation, almost like a restlessness in my nerves and bones, like they were trying to lengthen. It was really weird and hard to describe. I knew my first shift was about to hit me like a ton of bricks.

I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep myself from screaming out as I felt my bones starting to break and reform. It was slow, one here, one there. I was glad that Faith had me sit down, my legs were at unnatural angles and I would have hit the ground hard and fast.

It was a weird sight to see my bones cracking and know that it was normal. Sweat was pouring down my body, and I was starting to lose focus. I tried to relax, to not fight it, but my muscles wanted to tense out of reflex and it made everything a bit more intense.

I felt someone pull me into their lap, holding me loosely and knew in an instant that it was Matheau. His warmth and familiar scent actually helped soothe the pain a little. He couldn’t help as much as a mate could, but his being my safe space still helped a little.

“Shhh, Alyce, I know it hurts, but it will be ok. It’s worth it.” Matheau whispered in my ear as he rocked me gently. I couldn’t speak at this point so I just nodded a little in response.

I gasped as more of my bones cracked and rearranged themselves, moving quickly now. I felt fur sprouting from my skin. Next thing I knew it was like I was a passenger in my own mind, looking through eyes that weren’t my own. Our human forms had heightened eyesight and smell, but it paled in comparison to Aramyth’s. I know she wanted to howl, but we couldn’t tonight. It would give us away as no one had heard it and would be on alert at an unfamiliar howl.

I got up onto my paws, shakily at first. It was a hell of an adjustment to go from two legs to four. It didn’t take me long to get the hang of it though and it was about the time that I shook out my fur that I heard Mat gasp. I turned my head and cocked it sideways at him in question, *What is it Mattie?* I asked via mind-link.

“You’re huge Aramyth, bigger than any female I’ve ever seen! Almost the size of an alpha male wolf! And your fur… It’s… crimson… like fresh blood..” He replied.

“She’s a Crimson Wolf. Her father was one too. It’s in her blood.” Faith stated matter of factly, it left no room for argument.

“I have vague memories of his wolf, his fur was a deeper red though, streaked with black. I don’t know what it means to be a Crimson Wolf though.” I looked at Faith and Jake curiously, “Spill.”

“You’re faster, stronger, more agile. You are the strongest female in existence and given that you’re also a legitimate Alpha Female, you are likely as strong, if not stronger than most of the Alpha males. Your healing is accelerated beyond normal Alpha limits. It is rumored that the crimson wolf blood line dates back to when we had an Alpha King, the Alpha of Alphas. They say the crimson wolves are a direct bloodline, but no one has ever been able to provide proof to support the claim. Despite the lack of evidence, it is the generally accepted theory. It generally skips generations and you are only the second known female Crimson Wolf. The fact that both you and your father have Crimson Wolves is rare, but I don’t know what it means if anything.” Jake provided some answers for me.

“Given your Fae side is definitely dominant and not recessive in you, you are likely full of other surprises that we will only uncover in time.” Faith added.

It was a lot to take in, and I sat on my haunches letting my brain mull over and process this new information. I would have to do some research when I had a chance. If I was lucky, the library back in Silver Moon pack was still intact. That would be my best chance of finding out more.

“I think that’s enough information overload for tonight. I’d like to run, but with other wolves out I’m not sure it’s a good idea. So… Uh… Can someone tell me how to shift back?” I grinned, my tongue lolling out of my mouth as I looked at them.